Pressure vessel assembly



June 20, 1950 H. B. QUARFOOT PRESSURE VESSEL ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 29, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. 'y. @zalf/bai afm Wm June 20, 1950 H. B. QuARFooT PRESSURE VESSEL ASSEMBLY 5 Shee'cs-Sheetl 2 Filed Aug. 29, 1945 June 20, 1950 H. B. QUARFQo-r I 2,512,552-

PRESSURE VESSEL ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 29, 1945 3 SheebsSheeb 5 JNVENToR.

A TTOVEY Patented June 20, 195@ PRESSURE VESSEL ASSEMBLY 'Harrfyf'l Quarfoot, Chicago, Ill., `assignor to .Car-

i dox Corporation,` Chicago, Ill., a corporationrof Illinois Application'August "29,1 1945, Serial No. 613,382

I10 Claims. A1 This .invention relatesto tanks, and more' par.- ticularly to; insulated tanks for storing gases at lowtemperatures. .Aiparticular use ofthe 'tank With which the invention is concerned is thestorageio'fccarbon dioxide' at'fsuch' .al'lowtemperature andfcorrespondinglyfreduced vaporipressureiy that it isfin the liquid state.

Liquidmcarb'on dioxide has .chad wide spread commercial development mitheslastilseveral years as raimediumr icr.elishting-fg lires; or'this` purpose it is'mpontantato fhave avail supply of liquidf.1c2'a.f`rmn'`` dioxide :iso 'thatfitmay be instantly.T used'y storing fthe .lquidcarbon dioxide' finftanksi mthsimportantzfthatzfitibe maintained eat'y af lov/'.2 .temperature fas thier-reduces' the pressure of the gas Within the tank. The storage tank, etherefore, :should 'ibe well :insulated' to reducesthei transfer :of "heatsfrom l ther'fei'i-terior.

Itis; afprimaryiobiect of?the?:inventionrtoilprovide fan insulatedztank, izthe elements "of which are' fof: low `cost landtwhich-1 be readily? asse'mfbled-fto'fmake fthe completed Limit'. :it isf particu'- mayy be "varied` ato f suit #particularsituations or to 'employ cheaperfzon ,more2 Xpensive materials, Without requiringaichange inthe other-elements.

may; in some instances, be f stationary; but LYin other instances it is desired that it be mebileffso that--fitocan vbei: n lo'veclftotl'1e-place:l of use. This mobilityiisof .particulanximportance'fornre ght-- pneumatic tires vvnii-ldfne;subjectedtodeteriorate.y ing liquids whichfrmay- -Joenn4 the .-floor; :it ,maybe It .fis an ebjectsof `the present-invention "tof @r0- vide an insulated storage-.tank ewhichfflends-itseli to use. either vasa stationaryltankpr;as.fa-pant' of faomobile funit. vlnntlflis respect the.; invention contemplates .a -basic .insulated itank assemblyhaving nexternal ...-straps these-f. straps e not only serving-gto hold-,.theqinsulating@ material-I .inplace, but ,alsa servingaastmeans. :forfthe. attachmentof either stationary supports or Wheeled supports, 45,

Acfurther object Qf-fthe'ri-nventionsis tozfso cenfor the pipe connections.

[-2 struct theinsulated tank assemblyY that Wheels of different kinds'may convenientlyibe attached to it.` These Wheels may be'either'caster, rub ber tired or metal banded wheels.

Another object of' the invention is toprovide an insulated tank which may, if`de'sired,1be readfily housed in a casing' to improve .its appearance. This casing maybe appliedtol a stationaryi'tank or may equally yas Well be vapplied to almobile Etank irrespective of the Wheelsthereon.

A still' further object of the-invention isfthe y provision of an insulated storage tank assembly Which includes means for supporting auxiliary equipment associated'vwith the tank. This vvvmay include a compressor, unit, :a hose storage 4charnber or a hose reeljfor example. As-a. feature!v of the invention, .such accessory equipment fis carried by the straps to which areattached 'the supports for the tank.

A further objectv of the inventionwis to' provide an insulated storage tank :assembly so .constructed that it hasf the necessary mechanical rigidity although there is no metallicy connection to the 'tank for ysupporting it or enclosingit'with insulation. 'I'.here are consequently lno metal attachments to the tank from the 'exterior ythrough which heat may be transferred .except Other objects Will appeari from thefoll-owing description when vconsidered in lconnection with' the drawings in which:

Figure 1 isa side elevation .of an insulated tank provided with means for its Wheeled support,

Figure 2 is an elevation of the'leit hand-end of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-31of'Figure 2,

Figure 4' is a section onthe line `.4-.1ll.1ofrlllig'-v ure 1,

ure 1,

Figure 6 is an `end elevationv of tancinsulated tank provided with stationary supports and diilerent accessory equipment,

Figure 7 is a section through-ioneend ofthe assembly of Figure 6.

The tank lll may beof lany desired construction. If employed 'for' the storage of aliqui'd carbondioxide, it should be gas. tight, andtheitan'k here shown is of Welded construction. :The tank. which is shown is :cylindrical and has .outwardly bowed ends, but the invention'may he applied equally as Well toa tankhaving other-shapes.

Attached to the tank l0: are a :pluralityof pipesv i I. Y These are employed to ,ll thetank'fwithcar- Figure 5 is a section on the line '.5--5iof Fig-A bon dioxide under pressure, to Withdraw the liquid and to attach accessories. Some of these pipes may merely enter into the top of the tank while others may descend to a lower portion of the tank. They are preferably grouped together as shown since this simplifies the fabrication of the insulated tank assembly.

Adjacent to each end of the tank is a row of spacer blocks I2. These are located at intervals circumferentially around the tank. The inner faces of the spacer blocks preferably conform to the exterior shape of the tank and their outer faces are preferably of arcuate shape. These blocks should be of relatively strong material having a low thermal conductivity and for this purpose wood is a suitable material.

To hold the blocks I2 on the tank during assembly, they are initially attached to a band I3 of material such as canvas. Each band I3, with its attached blocks I2, is then brought around the tank at the proper location, and the ends of the bands are secured together. This may be accomplished by nailing the ends of the band I3 to the blocks.

After the blocks I2 have been thus applied to the tank, insulating material I4 is placed around the tank to the depth of the spacer blocks. This insulating material is preferably of the character which will adhere to the tank as it is applied since this facilitates its employment. This insulating material `should ll the spaces between the blocks l2 and should cover the ends of the tank.

A sheet of material I5 isvthen brought about the tank and upon the spacer blocks I2. This sheet I5 may be of any material which will provide a hermetic seal about the tank. Examples of such material are sheet metal, metal foil, plastic sheets, and treated cloth, as coated canvas. This material should be larger than the tank so as to extend beyond the ends of the tank.

In the embodiment of the invention appearing in Figures 1 to 5, the material I5 is sheet metal. Its meeting edges are overlapped as shown at' I6 in Figure 4 and these ends are welded or brazed to make a moisture-proof seal. Flanged discs I'I preferably of this same material are then secured as by welding or brazinrg to the ends of cylindrically shaped sheet metal I5 so that a complete and tight casing is formed.

Where the pipes Il pass through the sheet metal I5, a plate I8 is lWelded or brazed to the pipes and also to the sheet metal I5. This plate I8 with its Welding or brazing should establish a tight seal about all the pipes to preventthe passage of air or moisture.

Encircling the cylindrical sheet metal I5 at the location of the rows of blocks I2 are straps, here shown as being made up of an upper piece 20 and a lower piece 2|. These strap pieces are slightly less than semi-circles in extent so that they may be tightly pulled together vabout the tank. Draw bolts 22 pass through end lugs on the strap pieces and nuts 23 may be tightened to clamp them in place.

The spacer blocks I2 withstand the compression exerted by the strap pieces 26 and 2l so that the insulating material is relieved of this pressure. The spacer blocks I2 yfurthermore prevent compression of the insulating material at other points around the tank. By drawing tightly on the nuts 23, a rigid assembly results.

To support the tank assembly, brackets are secured to the lower straps 2i. This may convenientlv be done by forming a built-up bracket of a base plate 24 and a gusset plate 25. These plates 24' and 25 are secured together and to the straps 2| by welding at their meeting edges. Two such brackets are applied to corresponding points on each strap 2| at both ends of the tank so that there are a total of four such brackets on the underside of the assembly. The plates 24 should be so positioned that they lie in a coinmon plane parallel to the axis of the tank.

Channel members 26 are secured to the base plates 24 so that they extend lengthwise of the tank assembly along its underside. Axles 2l are attached to channels 26 and this may best be accomplished by Welding the axles 2l to blocks 23 which fit into and are Welded to the channel members 26. Pneumatic tired Wheels 29 are here shown rotatably mounted on the axles 21.

Instead of the wheels 29, it is possible to use solid Wheels as those having'a metal rim. If desired, the front axles 21 may be guidable to more easily wheel the assembly around corners. Or instead of the axles 2'I, caster wheels may be attached to the blocks 28 or directly to channels 26.

The invention contemplates the attachment of supporting means on the upper side of the tank to carry auxiliary equipment, such as refrigerating apparatus or a hose rack. This support is provided by securing, as by Welding, to each one of the upper straps 20 a pair of angle members 3l. The upright arms ofv angle members 3| receive between them the depending sides 32 of a table support 33. The table support 33 preferably provides a flat upper surface which is parallel to the base plates 24 on the under side of the .as` sembly.

It Will be appreciated that the attaching of the angle members 3| to both of the upper pieces 20 of the straps and the attaching of the table support 33 to said angle members performs the additional function of interconnecting and bracing the straps at the top of the tank in a somewhat similar manner to the interconnecting and bracing function performed for the straps 'at the bottom of the tank by the base and gusset plates 24 and 25 and the longitudinal channels 26. The table support 33 also provides a cover or protection for the top portion of the sheet metal covering I5.

To the table support 33 may be aixed a refrigerating apparatus indicated at 34. It is also possible to attach to the upper side of table support 33 a. container` 35 in which a hose 36 may be coiled. A fire fighting nozzle 31 is shown attached to the free end of hose 36.

Some of the modifications or variations contemplated by the invention are shown in Figures 6 and 7. In this arrangement the hermeticv seal is made of non-metallicsheet material 40,

as for example treated canvas. This sheet 40 isl sufficiently large that it can be brought together and folded to form closed ends at 4I. Suitable adhesive sealing material is then applied at these seams and around the pipes Il so that a tight `seal is established. Or, at the pipes I l, the sheet asias-so assembly ls -s'l'ipprte'd upon" channels '44 which are'lntendd toestabl-ish 'a stationary mounting for the takl These'channels 44 are attached to tfi'e' brackets made 'up of plates Z 'and 25. The' onannlsiasnoid' be nigh enough to elevate thetak'asse'ibly 'above the floor. It will be obsrved thatthe 'saie strap pieces'2 and 2| are employed'aii'd tliattney' aretightened b'y bolts 22'.

Ir'i'stad of tirev container '25 mounted on the tablesupportss to receive the hose, the reel 45, shown in-filigrev 6, may loe employed. This reel 45 maybe of conventional construction and its detilsar th'eefr'eiio't shown here. The refrigerating'apparatus 3'4 will 'te mounted on the tale 'support tiie-l arrangement of Figure o.

'rhese' units;v whether :stationary or mobile, are eal"completelyselfcoiitaind source of refrig'ijtelcarbn di''id. All that is` necessary is thatftiie' electric vconduit supplying the refrigerato `appa'iatiis 3'5 wien-electricity be connected to 'any' tiveiiiltlyloatd electrical' outlet. The unit'v'vill'tlfe maintain its wr'i low temperature ancl'nyibe' diiwiipn atwill to supply carbon dioxide; *il* tne'nitis'fa viiiobile one, it is-riier'e'ly neoessary'to'wiuiurawthe'electric conduit from th='oiitletinlixb'lf'vl it t6 tli'e desired location.

sin-ee triefliosieiooilstiitly attaolied to the tank,

It is, therefore, apparent that the arrangement of the invention permitsnumer'ous variations in the employment of materials and in the general supporting structures;- D iierent insulating materials may be employed irrespective of Whether the heir'letici seal is metallic or non-metallic. Lik'vis, if '-l`1"esame insulating xr'laterial is empldyd* idiifr'nt assemblies,- different hermetic Searls-:magy be' used; Thes' variations are possibieititn wheeled-as welles stationary units.

1*. The'A co'fibination with' a' storage tank. of a series of circumferential rows of rigid blocks spaced lengthwise of the tank with each row completely lencircling the tank, a hermetically sealed' slit material c've'r'irg completely enclosing the tank outwardly of and bearing against the peripheries of said rows of blocks, insulating material lling the space between the tank and the covering, a strap completely encircling and bearing tightly against the covering at the location of each row of blocks, and means for supporting the tank attached solely to said straps.

2. The combination with a storage tank, of a series of circumferential rows of rigid blocks spaced lengthwise of the tank with each row completely encircling the tank, the blocks of each row being circumferentially spaced, a hermetically sealed sheet material covering completely enclosing the tank outwardly of and bearing against the peripheries of said rows of blocks, insulating materialV filling the space between the tank and the covering with the exception of that occupied by said blocks, a split strap having tightening means connecting its ends completely encircling and drawn against the covering at the location of each row of blocks, and means for supporting the tank attached solely to said straps.

3. The combination with a storage tank, of a series of circumferential rows of rigid blocks spaced lengthwise of the tank with each row completely encircling the tank, a hermetically sealed sheet material covering completely enclosing the tank outwardly of and bearing against the peripheries of said rows of blocks, insulating material filling tljl space Between the tanli'aiid covering, a strap 'coriipl'e'tely encircling and bear# ing tightly :against the covering at the location of each row of blocks, and means ford supporte ing the tankattched solely to ysaid straps, said means comprising two circumferntially spaced angiilai balket's attached to each strap with 'all of tile ora-cker hatiiigbasepotions that occupy a oo irntn plane that parallels the airis of the tank; and a channel mernberon eachlside of the at n"liecl' to all of thev brackets on its side o"f of ihlfehk,

4. rre; Mariage wine .sfoga arie @fe series'V of c i-irifrntial rows of rigid blocks space dllel thwi's'e' of vthe tank with each row conipletel'yvenciifcling the Amari-ki; the blocks ofne'ach row being circn'iferentially spaced, a hew'rrneticallyusealed sheet materialwcovering completely en'ci cling the" tank outwardlyv of "and bearing the. vetreria ,of said rows Opf. @were insulating; material llingtl'ie entire spac be# tween' the i'ank andthe verfrl'e with .the ein cept'iri of th""tfocupvi"d by the spaced blok's,"a split strap having" tightening I neans cor'nierating'l its ends'ooipietely-.enirbliig and drawn-tightly against the' covering at vthe location of eah row' llckslgar'id ans f'r'vsipprting'th'frank attalclriedf Asolely to said said rn'e'zrnsA come tiif' biifernlielly spaced- .ieeile attacher to. are; ser. einen 'eine brat shavifng base portions thatoccupyr a com` mo 'plane that parallels tl'le axis 'f tl'n'g'htafil'i, andaEhet-ljenib on each side uo f thetank attached: to all' of the brak'ets its sideof the with a storage taak, yof a series er ritial roti/Ks"l of rfigidwblocks spa'c tnwise f tl'ietankwitlrfeachr'ow com?" pletely e heling', th tank, the lolofclsofv each nv'biig ciifcu'lnfrritia'lly spaced; a band tiglitly Wrapped around the blocks ovfxe row Aand anchored at its ends to hold the blc'ks'- in place, insulating material applied tg'Uall exposed sur-v faces of the tank to a depth approximately equal '13o the depth df said blocks, a hermetically sealed sheet material ctering completely enclosing 'the tank olllttieirdly' of the blocks and insulation and bearing against the bands holding said blocks, a strap completely encircling and bearing tightly against the covering at the location of each row of blocks, and means for supporting the tank attached solely to said straps.

6. The combination with a storage tank, of a series of circumferential rows of rigid blocks @paced lengthwise of the tank with each row completely encircling the tank, the blocks of each row being circumferentially spaced, a band tightly wrapped around the blocks of each row and anchored at its ends to hold the blocks in place, insulating material applied to all exposed surfaces of the tank to a depth approximately equal to the depth of said blocks, a hermetically sealed sheet material covering completely enclosing the tank outwardly of the blocks and insulation and iearing against the bands holding said blocks, a strap completely encircling and bearing tightly against the covering at the location of each row of blocks, and means for supporting the tank attached solely to said straps, said means comprising two circumferentially spaced angular brackets attached to each strap with all of the brackets having base portions that occupy a common plane that parallels the axisrof the tank, and a channel member on each side of the tank attached to all of the brackets on its side of the tank.

7. The combination with a storage tank, of a series -ofcircumferential rows of rigid blocks spaced lengthwise of the tank with each row completely encircling the tank, a hermetically sealed sheet material covering completely enclosing the tank outwardly of and bearing against the peripheries of said rows of blocks, insulating material lling the space between the tank and the covering, a strap completely encircling and bearing tightly against the covering at the location of each row of blocks, means attached to the straps at circumferentially spaced points and overlying the entire upper portion of the tank for interconnecting and bracing the straps and for covering the top portion of the sheet metal covering, and means for supporting the tank attached solely to said straps at the lower portion of the tank.

8. The combination with a storage tank, of a series of circumferential rows of rigid .blocks spaced lengthwise of the tank with each row completely encircling the tank, a hermetically sealed sheet material covering completely encircling the tank outwardly of and bearing against the peripheries of said rows of blocks, insulating material lling the space between the tank and the covering. a strap completely encircling and bearing tightly against the covering at the location of each row of blocks, means attached to the straps at circumferentially spaced points and overlying the entire upper portion of the tank for interconnecting and bracing the straps and for covering the top portion of the sheet metal covering, and means for supporting the tank attached solely to said straps at the lower portion of the tank, said means comprising two circumferentally spaced angular brackets attached to each strap with all of the brackets having base portions that occupy a common plane that parallels the axis of the tank, and a channel member on each side of the tank attached to all of the brackets on its side of the tank.

9. The combination with a storage tank, of a series of circumferential rows of rigid blocks spaced lengthwise of the tank with each row completely encircling the tank, insulating material applied to all exposed surfaces of the tank to a depth approximately equal to the depth of said blocks, a hermetically sealed covering completely enclosing the tank outwardly of the blocks and insulation and bearing against said blocks,

10. The combination with a storage tank, of-

a series of circumferential rows of rigid blocks spaced lengthwise of the tank with each row completely encircling the tank, insulating material applied to all exposed surfaces of the tank to a depth approximately equal to the depth of said blocks, a hermetically sealed covering completely enclosing the tank outwardly of the blocks and insulation and bearing against the blocks, said covering comprising a sheet of material wrapped around the periphery of the insulated tank and being of suiiicient length relative to the length of the tank to be folded over each end of the tank to completely cover the latter, a strap completely encircling and bearing against the covering at the location of each row of blocks, and means for supporting the tank attached solely to said straps.

HARRY B. QUARFOOT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,228,378 Brown May 29, 1917 1,316,949 Hall Sept. 23, 1919 1,452,487 Auchincloss Apr. 24, 1923 1,730,153 Lindsay Oct. 1, 1929 1,879,392 Miller Sept. 27, 1932- 2,025,739 Templin et al Dec. 31, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 367,589 Great Britain Feb. 25, 1932 

